The Shocking Truth About Shrimp Farming’s Carbon Footprint (And Why it Matters)

The Global Shrimp Forum Foundation recently released a new resource, “Carbon Footprint of Farmed Shrimp: An Industry Guide”, co-authored by sustainability experts Roxanne Nanninga and Anton Immink.

Created to empower the shrimp sector with clarity and confidence around climate action, this guide equips producers, feed suppliers, retailers, and investors with the latest scientific insight and pragmatic advice.

Key Highlights:

Determining Fact from Fiction

Shrimp farming has long faced criticism over its environmental impact, particularly accusations that it is a major driver of mangrove deforestation. The guide helps untangle fact from misconception. While mangrove destruction did occur historically, the majority of today’s farmed shrimp production is not linked to ongoing deforestation. Instead, the real carbon challenge lies in on-farm operations and feed production. This reframing is crucial for shrimp farmers, buyers, and consumers alike, as it shifts the conversation toward the areas where meaningful reductions can actually be made.

Emission Hotspots

The two largest contributors to shrimp farming’s carbon footprint are:

·       Feed production, especially the use of soy and fishmeal, which carry risks of land-use change, deforestation, and significant upstream emissions.

·       On-farm energy use, such as electricity for water aeration, pumping, and other infrastructure. These processes are essential for production but are often powered by fossil fuels, adding to the farm’s green house gas emissions.

In addition, biogenic emissions, such as methane generated naturally from pond ecosystems, are a growing concern. Current scientific understanding of these emissions is limited, leaving room for research and innovation that could open up new mitigation opportunities.

Momentum over Perfection

One of the strongest messages from the guide is that waiting for “perfect” data before acting is counterproductive. While carbon accounting in aquaculture is still evolving, there are already proven strategies available: switching to more sustainable feed ingredients, adopting renewable energy, or improving farm management practices to reduce energy intensity. Momentum is more important than perfection, scaled across the global shrimp industry, can lead to significant reductions in emissions.

Traceability & Supply Chain Complexity

Feed supply chains are notoriously complex. For example, sourcing soy from regions with deforestation risk can drastically increase a farm’s carbon footprint, even if the farmer has no direct control over those upstream impacts. The guide highlights the importance of greater transparency and traceability in feed sourcing, urging collaboration among feed producers, traders, and retailers to verify supply chains and reduce hidden emissions. This not only strengthens sustainability claims but also builds trust with regulators, buyers, and end consumers.

The Competitive Advantage of Climate Action

Beyond the environmental responsibility, it makes strong business sense to reduce emissions. Improved feed efficiency lowers feed costs, renewable energy adoption can reduce long-term energy bills, and resilient farms are better prepared to withstand shocks like rising fuel prices or stricter environmental regulations. For retailers and buyers, supporting low-carbon shrimp strengthens brand reputation and meets consumer demand for more sustainable seafood. In other words, climate-smart practices directly translate into financial and competitive advantages.

Collaboration Is Key

Team work makes the dream work! The solution is not held by one person, but by a collaborative effort by the whole industry. Farmers need access to better feed options; feed companies need reliable sustainability commitments from soy and fishmeal suppliers; and retailers need standardized data from across the chain. Policymakers, NGOs, and financiers also play a role in creating incentives, funding innovation, and supporting transitions. The guide calls for cross-industry collaboration, where every link in the value chain works together toward a low-carbon future for shrimp aquaculture.

The shrimp industry is at a turning point, with practical opportunities for farmers, feed suppliers, retailers, and investors to reduce emissions through better feed efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable ingredients, and greater supply chain transparency. The Carbon Footprint Guide makes clear that this is not a burden but an opportunity: by acting now, the sector can lower costs, build resilience, and meet growing demand for sustainable seafood. With science, innovation, and collaboration, shrimp aquaculture can lead the way in sustainable seafood production, delivering benefits for the environment, businesses, and communities worldwide.

Download the full guide from the Global Shrimp Forum website to explore detailed recommendations and start turning ambition into tangible climate progress.